The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made NFL history Sunday, November 1, 2026, defeating the Atlanta Falcons 16-0 without completing a single pass. Quarterback Baker Mayfield went 0-for-3 through the air, but Tampa Bay overcame the unusual passing performance with a franchise-record 324 rushing yards at Raymond James Stadium.
The victory made the Buccaneers the first NFL team since 1974 to win a game without completing a pass. It also marked the first time since 1945 that a team won by double digits while failing to complete a single throw.
Heavy rain and strong winds turned the NFC South matchup into a battle of rushing attacks and defensive execution. Tampa Bay took advantage of the difficult conditions, while Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. struggled through one of the most challenging performances of his career.
Baker Mayfield Wins Without Completing a Pass
Mayfield attempted only three passes throughout the game, targeting Ted Hurst, Chris Godwin and Kenneth Gainwell. None resulted in a completion, and a two-yard sack left Tampa Bay with minus-two net passing yards.
The Buccaneers finished with 322 total net yards despite producing 324 yards on the ground. That unusual combination reflected how completely the team abandoned its conventional passing offense.
Mayfield had returned to action the previous week after missing three games with a dislocated right thumb. He wore a protective glove during Tampa Bay's 43-13 victory over Carolina but played without that custom-made glove against Atlanta.
The weather made throwing especially difficult. Rain began shortly before kickoff and continued throughout the afternoon, sometimes becoming heavy enough to affect ball handling and visibility.
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles explained afterward that the team had not entered the game intending to eliminate passing entirely. However, the conditions convinced the coaching staff that running the football offered a better opportunity to control possession and avoid costly mistakes.
Mayfield's limited passing production was unusual even by the standards of severe-weather football. Before Sunday, Tampa Bay had never finished an NFL game with fewer than three completed passes.
The Buccaneers became the first team to win without a completion since the Buffalo Bills defeated the New York Jets 16-12 on September 29, 1974. The achievement ended a 52-year stretch without such a victory in the league.
Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell Dominate on the Ground
Tampa Bay relied on running backs Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell to carry its offense. Both produced career-best rushing performances while consistently gaining yards against Atlanta's defense.
Irving rushed for 170 yards and one touchdown on 27 carries, averaging approximately 6.3 yards per attempt. His ability to break through the defensive front helped Tampa Bay sustain drives without depending on Mayfield's passing.
Gainwell added 140 yards on 25 carries, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt. The running backs combined for 310 yards, accounting for nearly all of the Buccaneers' rushing production.
Mayfield contributed another 14 rushing yards on four attempts. Although he had little success throwing the football, his involvement in the running game helped Tampa Bay manage the difficult conditions.
The Buccaneers finished with 56 rushing attempts, emphasizing a physical offensive approach behind a line anchored by Pro Bowl tackle Tristan Wirfs.
Their 324 rushing yards established a new single-game franchise record. The performance surpassed Tampa Bay's previous mark and continued a productive stretch for an offense increasingly reliant on its running backs.
Over their previous four games, the Buccaneers accumulated 925 rushing yards, another franchise record for a four-game span. The sustained production demonstrated that Sunday's performance was part of a broader improvement rather than an isolated result.
Tampa Bay also became the first NFL team since Washington in 1955 to rush for more than 300 yards while finishing with negative net passing yardage.
The rushing attack proved particularly important because Tampa Bay's passing game offered almost no production. Rather than forcing throws into the wind and rain, the offense continued to rely on its backs and offensive line.
Falcons Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Throws Four Interceptions
While Tampa Bay controlled the ground game, its defense frustrated Atlanta throughout the afternoon. Penix completed only eight of 24 passes for 125 yards and threw a career-high four interceptions.
Linebacker Alex Anzalone led the defensive effort with two interceptions. Cornerbacks Jacob Parrish and Zyon McCollum also intercepted Penix, helping Tampa Bay maintain favorable field position.
Three of Atlanta's four interceptions came during the first half. Penix did not have more completed passes than interceptions until midway through the third quarter, demonstrating the difficulties facing the Falcons' offense.
Atlanta managed just 224 total yards and failed to convert any of its 12 third-down opportunities. Those failures repeatedly ended drives and limited the Falcons' chances to challenge Tampa Bay.
The defensive performance was especially significant because the Buccaneers did not score a touchdown until the second half. Their ability to prevent Atlanta from building momentum allowed Tampa Bay to maintain control with a limited passing attack.
The Falcons' struggles were compounded by the weather, which made passing and ball security difficult. Even so, Tampa Bay's defenders consistently took advantage of mistakes and prevented Atlanta from establishing an effective offensive rhythm.
The game featured only eight completed passes between both teams. According to NFL statistics, that was the lowest combined total in a game since December 17, 1978, when Buffalo and the Baltimore Colts also combined for eight completions.
Buccaneers Build Lead With Field Goals
Tampa Bay's offense moved the football effectively during the opening half but struggled to turn its drives into touchdowns. Kicker Chase McLaughlin provided all nine first-half points with field goals from 46, 34 and 42 yards.
The Buccaneers entered halftime leading 9-0 after controlling the ground game. They had already rushed for 146 yards, including 107 from Irving, while Atlanta managed only 73 total yards.
One of Tampa Bay's most unusual plays prevented the advantage from becoming larger. Mayfield improvised a lateral to Irving, who appeared close to scoring before Atlanta safety Jessie Bates knocked the ball loose.
The football went through the end zone, resulting in a touchback and possession for the Falcons. The mistake denied Tampa Bay a scoring opportunity, although the Buccaneers maintained control of the game.
The teams continued battling difficult conditions after halftime. Tampa Bay eventually extended its lead with a rushing touchdown, turning what had been a field-goal-driven contest into a comfortable shutout.
The combination of rushing production, defensive takeaways and reliable kicking allowed the Buccaneers to win without producing a completed pass.
Victory Follows 43-13 Win Over Carolina Panthers
The shutout came one week after Tampa Bay defeated the Carolina Panthers 43-13 on October 25. That earlier victory had been another strong rushing performance, but Mayfield did complete seven of 11 passes for 64 yards and one touchdown.
Irving rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns against Carolina as the Buccaneers accumulated 258 rushing yards. Tampa Bay's defense also forced four turnovers and recorded five sacks.
The two performances combined for 582 rushing yards and 59 points, while the defense allowed only 13 points across both games.
Mayfield completed just seven passes during that two-game stretch, illustrating how strongly the Buccaneers depended on their running game.
The victories also demonstrated the team's ability to compete while its starting quarterback continued recovering from his thumb injury. Tampa Bay had lost five of its first six games before consecutive wins against NFC South opponents improved its record.
The Buccaneers entered November with renewed momentum after a difficult start to the season. Their victories over Carolina and Atlanta highlighted improvements in offensive execution and defensive pressure.
Tampa Bay Moves to 3-5 in NFC South Race
Sunday's victory improved the Buccaneers to 3-5, placing them level with the Falcons in the loss column as the NFC South competition continued.
Carolina entered the weekend leading the division at 3-4, while New Orleans had struggled through the opening portion of its schedule. With several division games remaining, Tampa Bay's consecutive victories helped keep its postseason hopes alive.
The Buccaneers still face challenges as the season progresses. Their passing offense will need to become more productive when weather conditions and opposing defenses make such a run-heavy approach difficult to maintain.
Mayfield's health also remains important to the team's offensive plans. Although the Buccaneers have demonstrated that they can win with limited passing production, their ability to sustain that approach against different opponents has not been established.
For now, Tampa Bay can point to an achievement that has been extraordinarily rare in modern professional football. The Buccaneers won their second consecutive division game, established a franchise rushing record and became the first NFL team in 52 years to earn a victory without completing a pass.